Who is degender dance?
We work to decolonize the dance world because not everyone feels like dance is accessible or safe for them.
We offer tools that support dancers, and community leaders to create a more inclusive dance world where all people can authentically express, connect and heal through dance.
We envision a world where everyone can be free from the constraints of patriarchy, white supremacy and colonialism. Where dance is reintegrated into our daily lives as a tool of connection, healing and embodiment – for everyone.
Kate and Lou, as gender-nonconforming queer dancers were fed up with the patriarchy, white supremacy, and colonialism in their partner dance scenes. They put their heads together and began imagining a different future for dance that creates space for everyone.
Kate (they/them)
Kate came out as agender during the pandemic, a time that revealed a growing sense of dissatisfaction with their Latin dance community. By turning inward and exploring switch dancing and learning to lead, they were able to rediscover the joy of dance with the support of queer friendship.
With over a decade of teaching Salsa under their belt, Kate approaches dance as a natural human practice rooted in self-liberation and joy. They believe dance is for all genders, abilities, ages, and bodies, and that groove matters more than moves. If you can do a basic, Kate wants to dance with you!
Kate believes dance holds the potential to challenge and reshape patriarchal norms, creating room for more honest, inclusive and liberated ways of moving together. Through their work with Degender Dance they are expanding their love of education by creating tools to help teachers and dance organizers make dance safe and diverse and inclusive for all.
Lou (they/them)
Lou is a genderqueer, disabled, trauma survivor who uses partner dance to heal and connect. They bring their skills as a marketing designer promoting the dance community through photography, design, and video.
Lou traded a photo shoot for their first Salsa lessons in 2019. Lou quickly fell in love with dance on the latin dance floors, and truly connected with partner dance when they began dancing Lindy Hop as an ambi-switch dancer. They are now working on expanding their dance horizons with Contra, West Coast Swing, and Kizomba.
Lou believes dance is an incredible modality for change and works to fight systemic harm in our dance communities knowing it will also change the world for good.